Russia to have 104 centers of science and culture abroad by 2020

He also said the implementation of the Russian Language program (2011-2015) will help “promote Russia’s interests abroad”

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MOSCOW, November 2 (Itar-Tass) —— Russia’s agency for international humanitarian cooperation plans to bring the number of Russian science and culture centers abroad to 104 by the year 2020, the agency’s head Farit Mukhametshin said on Wednesday.

“In 2010, when Russia chaired the CIS, the agency took more effort to develop trade and economic ties and preserve the common cultural and humanitarian space in the Commonwealth of Independent States,” he said at a Government Hour session in the Russian State Duma, or lower parliament house.

He also said the implementation of the Russian Language program (2011-2015) will help “promote Russia’s interests abroad.”

According to Mukhametshin, the agency pays special attention to the work of Russian centers of science and culture in foreign countries. “As of now, there are 74 such centers and we plan to bring the number up to 104 by 2020,” he said.

He also spoke about efforts to encourage youth cooperation. “Before the end of the current year, as many as 200 delegates from CIS countries will visit Russia. In 2012, we plan to receive 500 delegates and want such contacts to become regular in the future,” he noted.

Budgetary allocations to the agency in 2012 stood at 1.9 billion roubles, he said. “Our basic task is to consolidate Russia’s positions abroad and to protect the rights of our compatriots,” he stressed. “To this end we keep on improving the legal basis regulating the agency’s work.”